C.A.L.L. All-Stars Down East Butler, Will Play At Clarion On Wednesday (07/05/15)

(By Brian Smail, Clarion Little League President)

The Clarion 11&12 baseball all-stars played their 3rd game in 5 days on Friday, July 3rd when they traveled to East Butler for their 7:00 game. Once again, rain did threaten, but stayed away except for some light sprinkling that did not last very long at all. East Butler won the coin toss and elected to be the home team.

In the top of the first, East Butler had 2 quick outs when Hayden Callen singled to left field then reached 2nd base on a passed ball. Christian Simko hit an RBI double to right center that scored Callen. Logan Lerch then walked, but East Butler was able to get out of the half of the inning. Callen was on the mound and promptly took care of business with only 12 pitches, striking out 2 batters in the process.

The top of the 2nd inning began with Brady Fowkes reaching 2nd base on an error, followed by Noah DiTullio being walked. East Butler managed to finish the half inning without allowing anyone to score. Callen then pitched a 14 pitch, 3 strikeout, inning to close out the 2nd.

In the top of the 3rd inning, Callen once again got the bats fired up with a single to left. He then stole 2nd base. Simko hit a single to right, which moved Callen to 3rd. After Simko stole 2nd base, Lerch then hit an RBI double which scored Callen and moved Simko to 3rd. Hunter Craddock was brought in to pinch run for Lerch. Breckin Rex was then walked. Noah DiTullio stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded, and promptly emptied them with a grand slam home run over the center field fence. Ethan Burford had a bunt single, and Cole Slaugenhoup hit an RBI double to score Burford. Slaugenhoup also scored on the play due to an out of play throw. The Clarion half of the inning ended with Clarion leading 8-0. Callen once again had a 14 pitch inning, striking out 2 and fielding a ball hit to him then throwing the batter out to Lerch at 1st base.

The top of the 4th started with both Simko and Lerch being walked. After a fielder’s choice, Rex was on 1st and Simko was on 3rd. Conner Kromer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. There was a passed ball on the next pitch, enabling Simko to score. East Butler was able to close out the half inning, only to face Callen once again. Hayden had a 16 pitch, 3 strike out inning and Clarion was on top 9-0 after 4.

The 5th inning began with Burford being walked, stealing 2nd, then reaching 3rd on a passed ball. Slaugenhoup was then walked; placing runners at 1st and 3rd. Cal German smashed a 3 RBI home run over the left field fence. Callen was then intentionally walked, followed by an infield single by Lerch to place runners at 1st & 2nd. They both advanced on a fielder’s choice and Fowkes being walked to load the bases. Callen scored as DiTullio was walked, giving him his 5th RBI of the game. Burford then had a 2 RBI hit that scored Fowkes and Lerch. The score at this point was 15-0.

Hayden Callen once again took the mound, looking to close out the game early via the 10 run rule. Callen came through by striking out 3 batters. Hayden pitched a beautiful game, striking out 13, giving up only 1 hit, and completing a 15-0 shutout over East Butler.

East Butler will be playing Butler Township on Monday, July 6th to determine which will come to Clarion on Wednesday, July 8th at 8:00. We hope to see you all at Weaver for what may be the final game of the district tournament.